Continuously experiencing a cloudy tank need help!!

[Imthatguybrandon]

Trying to figure out why my even after large water changes my tank is continuously getting cloudy. Some of my Tank information and configuration.

Tank:
- 50G Waterbox AIO
- Media filtration one chamber running (filter floss, carbon, live rock)
- Syncra Silent 2.0 Pump - 568 GPH


Live Stock:
- 3 clown fish,
- yellow watchman goby & tiger pistol shrimp,
- a variation of about 15 snails and dwarf redtip hermit crabs.
- 2 bubble tip anemones


Current Parameter's: Done with the API test kit

- Ammonia: 0
- Nitrite: 0
- Salinity: 0.33ppt
- PH: test is showing between 8.0 -8.2 (closer to 8.2)
- Nitrate: 0


I recently completed a 10 % water change and nothing really changed just a slight clear up followed by cloudy water within 24 hours. I am thinking to do another larger water change around 30-50% but I have done that in the past and the cloudy water still came back. I found when replacing the filter floss I see a very slight clear up but I think I am just changing the floss prematurely in pursuit of clearer water.

 

[Lavey29]

That's an algae bloom. I see no surface ripple at all for gas exchange. You need a powerhead to move the surface water. Run an airstone now so your fish don't die of lack of 02.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

That's an algae bloom. I see no surface ripple at all for gas exchange. You need a powerhead to move the surface water. Run an airstone now so your fish don't die of lack of 02.

I have a secondary power head, should I run one closer to the top of the tank as well? To note, I did turn down my return pump to the lowest settings to run more silent I can increase that as well.

 

[Lavey29]

I have a secondary power head, should I run one closer to the top of the tank as well? To note, I did turn down my return pump to the lowest settings to run more silent I can increase that as well.

Well you might not be getting enough turn over filtration then. Position your powerhead a few inches under the surface so you get a nice ripple on the surface. Cut lights back to 6 hours for a week. Increase your turnover through your pump.

 

[csturgis1989]

How old is the tank?

 

[lawnman]

How old is the tank?

It looks very young from the sand.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Well you might not be getting enough turn over filtration then. Position your powerhead a few inches under the surface so you get a nice ripple on the surface. Cut lights back to 6 hours for a week. Increase your turnover through your pump.

I'll give that a try!

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

How old is the tank?

I would say under 2 months old

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

I'll give that a try!

Question, could I just position the flow nozel to be in line with the surface of the water for the same outcome?

 

[Lavey29]

Question, could I just position the flow nozel to be in line with the surface of the water for the same outcome?

Possibly, it works for small tanks but may not provide enough ripple for yours. You need a small Nero powerhead.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Possibly, it works for small tanks but may not provide enough ripple for yours. You need a small Nero powerhead.

Copy, I have 2 jeabo mow-9's but only running one since they seem very strong even at the lowest settings.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Copy, I have 2 jebao mow-9's but only running one since they seem very strong even at the lowest settings.

I can look to grab a smaller nero to run at the top.

 

[csturgis1989]

With the amount of inhabitants in the tank and being only 2 months old you are going to continue to have a tough time. Increased flow, little to no light, and frequent water changes is probably your best option. Hope it works out for you. Also I would recommend changing your food to something specifically for saltwater fish.

 

[Lavey29]

Here is a quick video of my surface ripple.

 

[Lavey29]

Copy, I have 2 jeabo mow-9's but only running one since they seem very strong even at the lowest settings.

That's fine just position them to ripple the surface

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

With the amount of inhabitants in the tank and being only 2 months old you are going to continue to have a tough time. Increased flow, little to no light, and frequent water changes is probably your best option. Hope it works out for you. Also I would recommend changing your food to something specifically for saltwater fish.

Copy, I'll increase water changes. Regarding light what's a look time window to keep them active? Also, I have been feeding them Mysis shrimp , but recently picked up the flakes that were labeled for marine livestock.

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

That's fine just position them to ripple the surface

Copy, I'll do that now! Is it worth turning up the level of my return pump? Or is running it on the lowest setting casing more damage?

 

[Imthatguybrandon]

Here is a quick video of my surface ripple.

ahh yea, I am no where near that!

 

[Lavey29]

Copy, I'll do that now! Is it worth turning up the level of my return pump? Or is running it on the lowest setting casing more damage?

Well if equating your filtration to a sump set up you want 3x to 10x tank volume turn over through your filtration.

 

[Lavey29]

ahh yea, I am no where near that!

I keep my piwerheads 3 inches below the water surface.